Lyrl's recent activity
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Comment on Well this terrifies me: Steve Bannon preparing for a third Donald Trump US presidency in ~society
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Comment on Well this terrifies me: Steve Bannon preparing for a third Donald Trump US presidency in ~society
Lyrl Link ParentVoters are pretty wishy washy about how they view candidates. One person's clear, principled, uncompromising resistance is another's unhinged disrespect to their community. I believe it more...Voters are pretty wishy washy about how they view candidates. One person's clear, principled, uncompromising resistance is another's unhinged disrespect to their community. I believe it more likely that proposed disruptive stunts by Democratic representatives would turn off wishy washy Democratic voters, and motivate Trump voters, than add any net engagement in defense of democracy. The only pro-democracy people energized by such a thing are those who are already passionate on the topic.
Democratic representatives maintaining some level of relationship with Republican representatives, so there is a connection that can grow when some of the Rs make the choice to walk away from current excesses, is the best hope of our democracy surviving. That so many activists are clamoring for those ties to be completely and irrevocably cut is deeply scary to me.
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Comment on Weekly US politics news and updates thread - week of March 17 in ~society
Lyrl Link ParentWhich brings us back to the core question: how could these Democratic Senators support a plan that would simultaneously give Donald Trump unprecedented censorship powers while also consolidating Meta’s control over online speech?
The evidence suggests they simply don’t understand what they’re doing. Each of these Senators has a documented history of fundamental confusion about Section 230 and how the internet works:
*Richard Blumenthal has been getting Section 230 wrong since his days as Connecticut’s AG in the early 2000s.
*Sheldon Whitehouse’s chapter on free speech revealed such profound confusion about Section 230 that it’s hard to believe he’s actually read the law.
*We’ve already covered Durbin and Klobuchar’s dangerous misunderstandings.
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Comment on US President Donald Trump revokes legal status of 530,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans in ~society
Lyrl Link ParentThe article said some of that number might have progressed to less vulnerable immigration statuses, but even if it's not the full 530,000 that's an overwhelming number of people to lose from the...The article said some of that number might have progressed to less vulnerable immigration statuses, but even if it's not the full 530,000 that's an overwhelming number of people to lose from the formal economy. It's a horrible move on humanitarian grounds, and also if they actually get most to leave a horrible move on economic grounds. I guess the play could be to keep them as undocumented workers so they could be abused by employers, which would just be another layer of awful.
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Comment on Well this terrifies me: Steve Bannon preparing for a third Donald Trump US presidency in ~society
Lyrl Link ParentMLK Jr was pretty widely unpopular before his assassination. I agree an activist along similar lines would be unpopular again today: human nature hasn't changed. Republicans want to break things,...MLK Jr was pretty widely unpopular before his assassination. I agree an activist along similar lines would be unpopular again today: human nature hasn't changed.
Republicans want to break things, which they can work towards even in the minority: clogging up government and preventing action advances their agenda.
Building better infrastructure, education, making economic opportunities more widespread: these things take broad and long-term government support. They are not getting done with 52% of the government sometimes supporting them. If Democrats can't get some Republicans on board again with building things, in the context of continuing our democracy, any other action they do is strictly performative and achieves nothing lasting. I see so many people who want the dopamine hit of seeing Democrats in power being nasty to Republicans, but that is basically accepting no actual positive government policies will ever happen again, and in that case we should at least get maximum entertainment value from trash talk.
If liberals decide the confines of our current government are unacceptable, I guess finding a willing liberal-seeming autocrat and attempting to put them in power by violent coup is an option.
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Comment on The real problem with toilet paper: Where it comes from in ~enviro
Lyrl Link ParentIt must vary by inner and outer labia shape and size. The liquid gets all over all of my recesses and requires at least three sets of squares (not handfuls, no, but two fluffy squares or three...It must vary by inner and outer labia shape and size. The liquid gets all over all of my recesses and requires at least three sets of squares (not handfuls, no, but two fluffy squares or three single-ply, three times) per wee to keep me from developing a urine odor through the day. I remember seeing tampon advice of "keep the string positioned so urine doesn't get on it" and being just... unable to figure out any possible way that could work.
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Comment on Weekly US politics news and updates thread - week of March 10 in ~society
Lyrl Link ParentI suspect Trump implements tariffs because he can (doesn't get blocked by judges), and because it gets him a lot of subservient attention by everyone impacted by the tariffs trying to convince him...I suspect Trump implements tariffs because he can (doesn't get blocked by judges), and because it gets him a lot of subservient attention by everyone impacted by the tariffs trying to convince him to ease them. Then he flails around for post-rationalizations.
On the Canada acquisition, it seems moderately unlikely he is looking for bloody conquest: pride in his negotiating skills likely makes him think he can make a deal of it. On acquiring Canadians as a voting block, it would be in his style to believe they are likely to come to love him, and if not then think he can disenfranchise them (make them US nationals but not citizens like Samoans, or turn Canada into a territory like Puerto Rico instead of a state).
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Comment on Rep Zooey Zephyr’s speech flips thirteen Republicans, trans bills die in Montana in ~lgbt
Lyrl Link ParentAt least based on the information in the article, Rep. Zephyr bonded with Republican Rep. Essman over mom stuff. Essman connected with the speech part where Zephyr talked about being a mom, and...At least based on the information in the article, Rep. Zephyr bonded with Republican Rep. Essman over mom stuff. Essman connected with the speech part where Zephyr talked about being a mom, and turned the talking point from trans rights to parental rights, then other Republicans jumped on the parental rights bandwagon. I don't see any nose-rubbing in the story the article tells.
Not necessarily responding to your short comment specifically, but it reminds me of seeing (on other social media platforms) threads of people all agreeing with each other that attempts to engage with Republicans are immoral, and for anyone else reading along I wanted to reply. That attitude is frustrating to me because if followed it blocks out all possibility of what happened here. I get that the very large majority of such reaching out attempts are futile, which is awful, but when they work they make a difference in themselves, and lay the groundwork for higher successful connections in the future.
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Comment on Rep Zooey Zephyr’s speech flips thirteen Republicans, trans bills die in Montana in ~lgbt
Lyrl Link ParentShe attributes the success this time not to repeated floor speeches (the publicly seen "standing up"), but to long-term behind-the-scenes relationship building that primed her colleagues to be...Following the vote, Representative Zephyr... posted on her bluesky account. “Howell & I have built solid relationships with Republicans and those relationships change hearts, minds, and (eventually) votes. It is painful, grueling work. But it makes a difference.”
She attributes the success this time not to repeated floor speeches (the publicly seen "standing up"), but to long-term behind-the-scenes relationship building that primed her colleagues to be receptive to her speech.
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Comment on Weekly US politics news and updates thread - week of March 3 in ~society
Lyrl Link ParentI think this was the interview I am remembering https://www.npr.org/2024/11/06/nx-s1-5179835/the-role-of-the-latino-vote-in-the-2024-election A couple more I found in a quick internet search. From...I think this was the interview I am remembering https://www.npr.org/2024/11/06/nx-s1-5179835/the-role-of-the-latino-vote-in-the-2024-election
STEVE INSKEEP, HOST: ...I'm fascinated by this use of language and the way that it affects people because we think about that all the time here on the radio. Progresiva, that's one that I hadn't thought about before. The other one, though, Latinx, we had thought about before. It's not commonly used on the radio here, for example. You're saying that was held against Harris in some way. Do you know that she used it? 'Cause I don't remember Harris particularly saying it.
PEREZ-VERDIA: Well, I don't - Harris didn't say it. But when you have the organizations - the top Latino organizations for the past five years using it - the local organizations, the most funded, the ones that are receiving millions of dollars to counter this information using Latinx, there's a disconnect. So what we're saying is...
INSKEEP: And people stop listening to the representatives in the community is what you're saying.
PEREZ-VERDIA: Correct. And then if you're using words like progresiva that are connected to socialista and socialism, then you say, well, if it sounds like a duck and it looks like a duck, it must be a duck, which is not the case.
A couple more I found in a quick internet search. From https://www.forbes.com/sites/aliciagonzalez/2024/08/01/latinx-legislation-controversy-in-latino-and-hispanic-communities/
For example, at Berkeley's Latinx Research Center, the term is used extensively to promote inclusivity and reflect the changing social landscape. The center, previously known as the Center for Latino Policy Research, was renamed to embody this commitment to inclusivity.
From https://www.bu.edu/articles/2022/why-is-latinx-still-used-if-hispanics-hate-the-term/
According to the Pew Research Center... 3 percent of respondents viewed it favorably... If you were to base your impression on this research—or on various recent think pieces—you’d assume that the term was foisted on an unwilling community who found themselves saddled with it.
Maia Gil’Adí, a College of Arts & Sciences assistant professor of English, says this isn’t the case... Gil’Adí, who specializes in Latinx literature and culture, points to a journal article by Nicole M. Guidotti-Hernández, an Emory University professor, who places the term’s coinage “around 2004 in queer contexts.” It was an organic youth movement, she contends, born of the internet, and rejected by the older generation.
“With the younger generations—with the kids that I teach—I would think that they’re much more comfortable using the term Latinx,” Gil’Adí says.
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Comment on Weekly US politics news and updates thread - week of March 3 in ~society
Lyrl Link ParentAn example I heard on NPR was Latinx. Most Hispanic people find it offensive, but far-left groups push it hard and mainstream Democrats, while they don't use it, also don't take a stand against...An example I heard on NPR was Latinx. Most Hispanic people find it offensive, but far-left groups push it hard and mainstream Democrats, while they don't use it, also don't take a stand against it. The commentor I heard believed this was a key factor in declining shares of Hispanic votes going to Democrats.
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Comment on What are some good, non-microtransaction riddled mobile games? in ~games
Lyrl LinkSolitaires Premium by Magory is one I love for complete and total lack of ads for a reasonable one time price. It is not super gamified, but it has a lot of games with multiple difficulty levels...Solitaires Premium by Magory is one I love for complete and total lack of ads for a reasonable one time price. It is not super gamified, but it has a lot of games with multiple difficulty levels for all. No instructions, so any game I am not already familiar with I have to go read the Wikipedia page for, but that seems OK.
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Comment on Op Ed from UnitedHealth Group CEO: The US health care system is flawed. Let’s fix it. in ~society
Lyrl Link ParentThe friction that get in the way of consumers or their representatives punishing medical providers for providing poor value are also substantial. Insurers and drug companies are not alone: medical...The friction that get in the way of consumers or their representatives punishing medical providers for providing poor value are also substantial. Insurers and drug companies are not alone: medical equipment manufacturers, urban hospitals, and many doctor specialities are also making out like bandits.
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Comment on A pregnant teenager died after trying to get care in three visits to Texas emergency rooms in ~society
Lyrl Link ParentHypocritical he didn't include Virginia v. Loving, which invalidated laws against interracial marriage.Hypocritical he didn't include Virginia v. Loving, which invalidated laws against interracial marriage.
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Comment on Weekly Middle East war megathread - week of October 28 in ~news
Lyrl Link ParentThe West doesn't want them because a)anti-immigrant bias is currently high, and b)some percentage would plan terrorist actions on allies of Israel. The calculus is that it is better for hundreds...The West doesn't want them because a)anti-immigrant bias is currently high, and b)some percentage would plan terrorist actions on allies of Israel. The calculus is that it is better for hundreds or thousands of potentially productive new residents to stay trapped in Gaza than for one terrorist to be allowed in, especially in the current climate where allowing any immigration from anywhere is politically difficult.
The Arab countries don't want them because that would relieve pressure from Israel.
Everybody sucks here.
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Comment on In Canada, Brantford-area child dies from rabies after contact with a bat, health official says in ~health
Lyrl Link ParentHow much time you have depends on where you are bitten. A bite on a hand or foot means at least a month for the virus to propagate up the arm or leg nerves to the spine and then the brain. A...How much time you have depends on where you are bitten. A bite on a hand or foot means at least a month for the virus to propagate up the arm or leg nerves to the spine and then the brain. A shoulder or neck bite would give significantly less time to figure things out.
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Comment on Weight loss drugs appear to be having an effect at the population level in ~health
Lyrl Link Parent6% of Americans are currently on the drugs. The obesity rate dropped by 2%. That kind of drop is easily explained by the number of people on the drugs alone.6% of Americans are currently on the drugs. The obesity rate dropped by 2%. That kind of drop is easily explained by the number of people on the drugs alone.
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Comment on The US government wants to make it easier for you to click the 'unsubscribe' button in ~tech
Lyrl LinkThey are starting an inquiry to consider starting the process to make it easier to unsubscribe. I mean, I am glad there is some movement, but any results sure feel far off.Efforts being rolled out Monday include a new Federal Communications Commission inquiry into whether to impose requirements on communications companies that would make it as easy to cancel a subscription or service as it was to sign up for one.
They are starting an inquiry to consider starting the process to make it easier to unsubscribe. I mean, I am glad there is some movement, but any results sure feel far off.
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Comment on Local Canadian news loses 58% of online engagement, thanks to the Online News Act in ~news
Lyrl Link ParentThe article shows no proof of that 58% claim to start with, much less make an attempt to sort out how much is due to Meta's link ban vs. all the other factors that are driving down news site...The article shows no proof of that 58% claim to start with, much less make an attempt to sort out how much is due to Meta's link ban vs. all the other factors that are driving down news site traffic. Also:
As shown in Figure 3, the volume of screenshots of
Canadian news articles tripled in the four months
immediately following the ban, generating such a large
amount of engagement that, although there are fewer
posts containing screenshots than there were posts with
news links prior to the ban, engagement with news
screenshots matched the previous engagement
generated by news links.³ -
Comment on What shampoo/conditioner do you use? in ~life.style
Lyrl Link ParentDandruff is a fungal infection, and anti-dandruff shampoos have an anti-fungal that, not surprisingly as it is designed to kill a living organism, many people find irritating. Flaking scalp often...Dandruff is a fungal infection, and anti-dandruff shampoos have an anti-fungal that, not surprisingly as it is designed to kill a living organism, many people find irritating.
Flaking scalp often results from dryness and irritation, without any fungal involvement at all, in which case dandruff shampoos won't help.
What reactions take hold in a community from a specific action or group of actions is hard to predict. In general, groups of people never change their mind in the "we admit we were wrong" kind of way, but they can stop supporting something if a face-saving offramp explanation takes hold. I don't know what that would look like for supporters of the current administration, but I have hope it will happen.
To me, talk among opponents of what Trump and his sycophants are doing is an exercise in defensive driving. The administration is running the red light and is culpable for the damage that is causing. Whether the opponents swerve or break or something else might save things of value. Arguing the merits of swerving (continuing to reach out to R reps despite no support for the relationship from their end) versus braking (publicly disrupting everything possible about the R reps jobs) can get heated - the stakes are high - but even if the Ds chosen defensive response turns out to be ineffective, it's good to keep visibility of the administration and all those who support it as the culpable ones. Thanks for bringing that up.